Multiband transmitter

Abstract

In certain aspects, a method includes receiving a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a second IF signal via a common input, upconverting the first IF signal to a first radio frequency (RF) signal, transmitting the first RF signal via a first antenna array, upconverting the second IF signal to a second RF signal, and transmitting the second RF signal via a second antenna array. In a first transmission mode, the first RF signal is in a first frequency band and the second RF signal is in a second frequency band, and in a second transmission mode, the first RF signal and the second RF signal are both in the first frequency band.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to non-provisional application sequence 17 / 464,404, filed September 1, 2021, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire contents of which are as fully set forth herein and incorporated herein for all applicable purposes. background Technical Field

[0004] All aspects of this disclosure relate to wireless communication in general, and more specifically to multi-band transmitters. Background Technology

[0006] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. Wireless communication systems (e.g., fifth-generation (5G) systems) can operate in millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands (e.g., above 24 GHz) to increase bandwidth and data rates. Wireless communication systems can also employ beamforming to improve link budget and system capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following provides a brief overview of one or more specific implementations to offer a basic understanding of such implementations. This overview is not an exhaustive summary of all anticipated implementations, nor is it intended to identify key or essential elements of all implementations, nor to depict the scope of any or all implementations. Its sole purpose is to introduce some concepts of one or more specific implementations in a simplified form, as an introduction to the more detailed descriptions that follow.

[0008] A first aspect relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes a first signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the first signal path is coupled to an intermediate frequency (IF) input, and the first signal path includes a first filter configured to allow a first IF signal to pass through and suppress a second IF signal. The apparatus also includes a second signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the second signal path is coupled to the IF input, and the second signal path includes a second filter configured to allow the second IF signal to pass through and suppress the first IF signal. The apparatus further includes a first transmitter array having an input and multiple outputs, a second transmitter array having an input and multiple outputs, a third transmitter array having an input and multiple outputs, and a first power distribution network (PDN) having a first input, a second input, a first output coupled to the input of the first transmitter array, and a second output coupled to the input of the third transmitter array. The apparatus further includes a first mixer coupled between the output of the first signal path and the first input of the first PDN, a second mixer coupled between the output of the second signal path and the input of the second transmitter array, and a third mixer coupled between the output of the second signal path and the second input of the first PDN.

[0009] The second aspect relates to a method for transmission. The method includes receiving a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a second IF signal via a common input terminal; up-converting the first IF signal to a first radio frequency (RF) signal; transmitting the first RF signal via a first antenna array; up-converting the second IF signal to a second RF signal; and transmitting the second RF signal via a second antenna array. In a first transmission mode, the first RF signal is in a first frequency band and the second RF signal is in a second frequency band; and in a second transmission mode, both the first RF signal and the second RF signal are in the first frequency band.

[0010] A third aspect relates to an apparatus comprising: a first signal path having an input and an output, wherein the first signal path includes a first filter; and a second signal path having an input and an output, wherein the second signal path includes a second filter, and the input of the first signal path and the input of the second signal path are coupled to a common input. The apparatus further includes a first transmitter array having an input and a plurality of outputs, a second transmitter array having an input and a plurality of outputs, a third transmitter array having an input and a plurality of outputs, a first mixer coupled to the output of the first signal path, a second mixer coupled to the output of the second signal path, and a third mixer coupled to the output of the second signal path. The apparatus further includes components for coupling the first mixer to the input of the first transmitter array in a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, components for coupling the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the first transmission mode, and components for coupling the third mixer to the input of the third transmitter array in the second transmission mode. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 An example of a launch system according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 An example of an antenna array coupled to a transmitting system according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An example of a multi-band transmission system according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 4A An example of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal in a multi-band transmission system in a first transmission mode according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 4B An example of a radio frequency (RF) signal in a multi-band transmission system in a first transmission mode according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 5A An example of an IF signal in a multi-band transmission system in a second transmission mode according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 5B An example of an RF signal in a multi-band transmission system in a second transmission mode according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 6A An example of an IF signal in a multi-band transmission system in a third transmission mode according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 6B An example of an RF signal in a multi-band transmission system in a third transmission mode according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 7A An exemplary specific implementation of a power distribution network according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 7B Another exemplary embodiment of a power distribution network according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 8 An example of a transmitter array according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0023] Figure 9 An example of a multi-band transmission system coupled to a first antenna array according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0024] Figure 10 An example of a multi-band transmission system coupled to a second-day linear array according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 11 An example of an IF circuit coupled to the input of a multi-band transmission system according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating a method for launching according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The detailed description following, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent only the configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. Specific details are included to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0028] Figure 1 An example of a transmission system 105 according to certain aspects is shown. The transmission system 105 can be used to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals in the mmWave frequency band (e.g., above 24 GHz). Figure 1In the example shown, the transmitting system 105 includes a first amplifier 110, a second amplifier 112, a third amplifier 152, a first mixer 114, a second mixer 154, a first frequency synthesizer 116, a second frequency synthesizer 156, a first transmitter array 120, and a second transmitter array 160.

[0029] As further discussed below, the first transmitter array 120 is configured to transmit RF signals in a first frequency band (hereinafter referred to as the "first band"), and the second transmitter array 160 is configured to transmit RF signals in a second frequency band (hereinafter referred to as the "second band"). In this document, a frequency band may also refer to a sub-band or a group of frequency bands. The first and second bands are in the mmWave frequency band (e.g., above 24 GHz). In one example, the first band may be in the frequency range of 24 GHz to 29 GHz, and the second band may be in the frequency range of 37 GHz to 48 GHz. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to this example, and the first and second bands may be in other frequency ranges. In one example, the first band includes a low-frequency band, and the second band includes a high-frequency band, wherein the lowest frequency in the high-frequency band is higher than the highest frequency in the low-frequency band.

[0030] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the input of the first amplifier 110 is coupled to the input 108 of the transmitting system 105. In one example, the input 108 of the transmitting system 105 is configured to receive an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, as discussed further below. A second amplifier 112 and a first mixer 114 are coupled in series in a first signal path between the output of the first amplifier 110 and the input 122 of the first transmitter array 120. A first frequency synthesizer 116 is coupled to the first mixer 114 and configured to generate a first local oscillator (LO) signal. The first frequency synthesizer 116 outputs the first LO signal to the first mixer 114 for up-converting the IF signal received at input 108 to an RF signal in a first frequency band (e.g., a low-frequency band).

[0031] A third amplifier 152 and a second mixer 154 are coupled in series in a second signal path between the output of the first amplifier 110 and the input 162 of the second transmitter array 160. A second frequency synthesizer 156 is coupled to the second mixer 154 and configured to generate a second LO signal. The second frequency synthesizer 156 outputs the second LO signal to the second mixer 154 for up-converting the IF signal received at input 108 to an RF signal in a second frequency band (e.g., a high-frequency band).

[0032] In some respects, the second amplifier 112 and the third amplifier 152 may be omitted. In these respects, the transmitting system 105 may include a power distribution network configured to distribute the IF signal from the output of the first amplifier 110 to the first mixer 114 and the second mixer 154.

[0033] The first transmitter array 120 has multiple outputs 124-1 to 124-N, each of which can be coupled to the first antenna array 252. Figure 2 The corresponding antennas in the diagram. The first transmitter array 120 is configured to receive RF signals in a first frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band) from the first mixer 114, generate RF signals based on the received RF signals, and output each of the RF signals at one of the corresponding outputs 124-1 to 124-N. As further discussed below, the first transmitter array 120 can use beamforming to adjust the phase between the RF signals, thereby electrically manipulating the transmit beam of the first antenna array 252.

[0034] The second transmitter array 160 has multiple outputs 164-1 to 164-M, each of which can be coupled to the second transmitter array 282. Figure 2 The corresponding antennas in the diagram. The number of output terminals 164-1 to 164-M for the second transmitter array 160 may be equal to or different from the number of output terminals 124-1 to 124-N for the first transmitter array 120 (i.e., M=N or M≠N). The second transmitter array 160 is configured to receive RF signals in a second frequency band (e.g., a high-frequency band) from the second mixer 154, generate RF signals based on the received RF signals, and output each of the RF signals at a corresponding one of the output terminals 164-1 to 164-M. As further discussed below, the second transmitter array 160 may use beamforming to adjust the phase between the RF signals, thereby electrically manipulating the transmit beam of the second antenna array 282.

[0035] Figure 2Exemplary specific implementations of a first transmitter array 120 and a second transmitter array 160 according to certain aspects are shown. In this example, the first transmitter array 120 is coupled to a first antenna array 252, which includes antennas 255-1 to 255-N (also referred to as antenna elements) on a substrate 250. Each of the antennas 255-1 to 255-N can be implemented using a patch antenna or another type of antenna, which can be formed on or mounted on the substrate 250. In this example, each output 124-1 to 124-N of the first transmitter array 120 is coupled to a corresponding one of the antennas 255-1 to 255-N.

[0036] In this example, the first transmitter array 120 includes a power distribution network (PDN) 222 (also referred to as a frequency divider or splitter) and multiple transmitter chains 225-1 to 225-N. The PDN 222 has inputs coupled to the input 122 of the first transmitter array 120, and multiple outputs. The PDN 222 is configured to receive an RF signal at its input and split that RF signal into multiple RF signals at its output. Each of the transmitter chains 225-1 to 225-N has inputs 226-1 to 226-N coupled to a corresponding output of the PDN 222, and outputs 228-1 to 228-N coupled to a corresponding output of the first transmitter array 120. For example, the PDN 222 may include an amplifier (not shown) to increase the power of the multiple RF signals before they are output to the transmitter chains 225-1 to 225-N.

[0037] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, each of the transmit chains 225-1 to 225-N includes a corresponding amplifier 230-1 to 230-N (e.g., a variable gain amplifier), a corresponding phase shifter 235-1 to 235-N, and a corresponding power amplifier 240-1 to 240-N. Each of the phase shifters 235-1 to 235-N is configured to shift the phase of the corresponding RF signal accordingly. The phase shifters 235-1 to 235-N are used to set the transmit beam direction of the first antenna array 252. In this regard, the beamformer controller 290 sets the phase shifts of the phase shifters 235-1 to 235-N to achieve the desired transmit beam direction. For ease of illustration, Figure 2 Individual connections between the beamformer controller 290 and phase shifters 235-1 to 235-N are not shown.

[0038] exist Figure 2In the example shown, a second transmitter array 160 is coupled to a second antenna array 282, which includes antennas 285-1 to 285-M (also referred to as antenna elements) on a substrate 280. Each of antennas 285-1 to 285-M can be implemented using a patch antenna or another type of antenna, which can be formed on or mounted on the substrate 280. In this example, each output 164-1 to 164-M of the second transmitter array 160 is coupled to a corresponding one of antennas 285-1 to 285-M.

[0039] In this example, the second transmitter array 160 includes a PDN 262 (also referred to as a frequency divider or splitter) and multiple transmitter chains 265-1 to 265-M. The PDN 262 has inputs coupled to input 162 of the second transmitter array 160, and multiple outputs. The PDN 262 is configured to receive an RF signal at its input and split that RF signal into multiple RF signals at its output. Each of the transmitter chains 265-1 to 265-M has inputs 266-1 to 266-M coupled to a corresponding output of the PDN 262, and outputs 268-1 to 268-M coupled to a corresponding output of the second transmitter array 160. For example, the PDN 262 may include an amplifier (not shown) to increase the power of the multiple RF signals before they are output to the transmitter chains 265-1 to 265-M.

[0040] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, each of the transmit chains 265-1 to 265-M includes a corresponding amplifier 270-1 to 270-M (e.g., a variable gain amplifier), a corresponding phase shifter 275-1 to 275-M, and a corresponding power amplifier 278-1 to 278-M. Each of the phase shifters 275-1 to 275-M is configured to shift the phase of the corresponding RF signal accordingly. The phase shifters 275-1 to 275-M are used to set the transmit beam direction of the second RF array 282. In this regard, the beamformer controller 290 sets the phase shift of the phase shifters 275-1 to 275-M to achieve the desired transmit beam direction. For ease of illustration, Figure 2 Individual connections between the beamformer controller 290 and phase shifters 275-1 to 275-M are not shown.

[0041] In this example, the first transmitter array 120 transmits signals in a first frequency band (e.g., a low-frequency band) via a first antenna array 252, and the second transmitter array 160 transmits signals in a second frequency band (e.g., a high-frequency band) via a second antenna array 282. Therefore, the transmission system 105 can only operate each of the antenna arrays 252 and 282 in a single frequency band (i.e., operating the first antenna array 252 in the first frequency band and operating the second antenna array 282 in the second frequency band). Therefore, the transmission system 105 does not support a configuration where both antenna arrays 252 and 282 operate in the first frequency band or a configuration where both antenna arrays 252 and 282 operate in the second frequency band.

[0042] Furthermore, the transmitting system 105 can only operate in one of the first and second frequency bands at a time. This is because the transmitting system 105 lacks a mechanism for separating the IF signal for the first frequency band and the IF signal for the second frequency band. Therefore, the transmitting system 105 needs to receive the IF signal for the first frequency band and the IF signal for the second frequency band one at a time. Consequently, the transmitting system 105 cannot transmit signals simultaneously in both the first and second frequency bands.

[0043] Figure 3 An exemplary multi-band transmission system 305 is shown according to certain aspects. The multi-band transmission system 305 can be used to transmit RF signals in the mmWave band (e.g., above 24 GHz). In some specific implementations, the multi-band transmission system 305 is integrated on a chip. The multi-band transmission system 305 can be used in user equipment (UE), base stations, or other types of wireless devices for transmitting RF signals. The multi-band transmission system 305 has an IF input 308 configured to receive IF signals (e.g., from on-chip or off-chip IF circuitry). As further discussed below, the multi-band transmission system 305 overcomes one or more limitations of the transmission system 105.

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the multi-band transmission system 305 includes a first signal path 315 and a second signal path 355. The first signal path 315 may include a first filter 310 and a first amplifier 312 coupled in series, and the second signal path 355 may include a second filter 350 and a second amplifier 352 coupled in series. As further discussed below, the first filter 310 and the second filter 350 may be configured to separate the IF signal received at input 308. In one example, the first filter 310 and the second filter 350 may be configured to separate IF signals for different frequency bands, thereby allowing the multi-band transmission system 305 to transmit RF signals simultaneously in multiple frequency bands (e.g., the first and second frequency bands discussed above). Figure 3In the example, the first filter 310 is implemented using a low-pass filter (LPF), and the second filter 350 is implemented using a high-pass filter (HPF). However, it should be understood that the first filter 310 and the second filter 350 are not limited to this example, as discussed further below.

[0045] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the multi-band transmission system 305 also includes a first frequency synthesizer 340, a second frequency synthesizer 345, a first switch 390, a second switch 392, a first mixer 318, a second mixer 358, a third mixer 346, and a fourth mixer 386. As discussed further below, the first switch 390 and the second switch 392 allow the mode controller 395 to selectively switch (i.e., configure) the multi-band transmission system 305 to any of a variety of transmission modes.

[0046] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the multi-band transmission system 305 further includes a first transmitter array 320, a second transmitter array 370, a third transmitter array 330, and a fourth transmitter array 360. In some aspects, the first transmitter array 320 and the third transmitter array 330 are each configured to transmit signals in a first frequency band, and the second transmitter array 370 and the fourth transmitter array 360 are each configured to transmit signals in a second frequency band. Both the first and second frequency bands may be in the mmWave band (e.g., above 24 GHz). In one example, the first frequency band may be in the frequency range of 24 GHz to 29 GHz, and the second frequency band may be in the frequency range of 37 GHz to 48 GHz. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to this example, and the first and second frequency bands may be in other frequency ranges.

[0047] The multi-band transmission system 305 may further include a first PDN 323 having a first input 326, a second input 327, a first output 328, and a second output 329. The first input 326 is coupled to the output of a first mixer 318, and the second input 327 is coupled to the output of a third mixer 346. The first output 328 is coupled to the input 322 of a first transmitter array 320, and the second output 329 is coupled to the input 332 of a third transmitter array 330. In this example, the first PDN 323 is a reconfigurable PDN coupled to a mode controller 395. The first PDN 323 is configured to selectively couple either the first input 326 or the second input 327 to the second output 329 under the control of the mode controller 395. As discussed further below, this allows the mode controller 395 to reconfigure the first PDN 323 for different transmission modes. The first PDN 323 can also couple the first input terminal 326 to the first output terminal 328. See below for reference. Figure 7A An exemplary implementation of the first PDN 323 is discussed.

[0048] The multi-band transmission system 305 may further include a second PDN 363 having a first input 366, a second input 367, a first output 368, and a second output 369. The first input 366 is coupled to the output of a second mixer 358, and the second input 367 is coupled to the output of a fourth mixer 386. The first output 368 is coupled to the input 372 of a second transmitter array 370, and the second output 369 is coupled to the input 362 of the fourth transmitter array 360. In this example, the second PDN 363 is a reconfigurable PDN coupled to a mode controller 395. The second PDN 363 is configured to selectively couple either the first input 366 or the second input 367 to the second output 369 under the control of the mode controller 395. As discussed further below, this allows the mode controller 395 to reconfigure the second PDN 363 for different transmission modes. The second PDN 363 can also couple the first input terminal 366 to the first output terminal 368. See below for reference. Figure 7A An exemplary implementation of the second PDN 363 is discussed.

[0049] The input terminal 308 of the multi-band transmission system 305 is configured to receive an IF signal. For example, the input terminal 308 can be coupled to an IF circuit ( Figure 3 (Not shown), the IF circuit is configured to upconvert a baseband signal from a baseband processor into an IF signal and output the IF signal to input 308. The IF signal may include IF signals for different frequency bands (e.g., a first frequency band and a second frequency band), which can be separated by a first filter 310 and a second filter 350, as further discussed below.

[0050] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, input 314 of the first signal path 315 is coupled to input 308, and output 316 of the first signal path 315 is coupled to the first mixer 318. A first filter 310 and a first amplifier 312 are coupled in series in the first signal path 315 between input 314 and output 316. The first mixer 318 is coupled between output 316 of the first signal path 315 and first input 326 of the first PDN 323. It should be understood that in some specific embodiments, the first signal path 315 may include... Figure 3One or more additional devices, such as additional filters and / or additional amplifiers, are not shown. In this example, the first frequency synthesizer 340 is coupled to the first mixer 318. As discussed further below, the first frequency synthesizer 340 is configured to generate and output a first LO signal. The first frequency synthesizer 340 may include one or more phase-locked loops (PLLs). In some aspects, the first frequency synthesizer 340 may be configured to adjust (i.e., tune) the frequency of the first LO signal under the control of the mode controller 395.

[0051] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, input 354 of the second signal path 355 is coupled to input 308, and output 356 of the second signal path 355 is coupled to the second mixer 358. A second filter 350 and a second amplifier 352 are coupled in series in the second signal path 355 between input 354 and output 356. The second mixer 358 is coupled between output 356 of the second signal path 355 and first input 366 of the second PDN 363. It should be understood that in some specific embodiments, the second signal path 355 may include... Figure 3 One or more additional devices are not shown. In this example, the second frequency synthesizer 345 is coupled to the second mixer 358. As discussed further below, the second frequency synthesizer 345 is configured to generate and output a second LO signal. The second frequency synthesizer 345 may include one or more PLLs. In some aspects, the second frequency synthesizer 345 may be configured to adjust (i.e., tune) the frequency of the second LO signal under the control of the mode controller 395.

[0052] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the third mixer 346 is coupled between the output 356 of the second signal path 355 and the second input 327 of the first PDN 323, and the second switch 392 is coupled between the second frequency synthesizer 345 and the third mixer 346. Furthermore, the fourth mixer 386 is coupled between the output 316 of the first signal path 315 and the second input 367 of the second PDN 363, and the first switch 390 is coupled between the first frequency synthesizer 340 and the fourth mixer 386.

[0053] The first transmitter array 320 has multiple output terminals 324-1 to 324-N, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding antenna in the first antenna array 325. Figure 3(Not shown). The first transmitter array 320 is configured to receive RF signals in a first frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band) from the first mixer 318 via the first PDN 323, generate RF signals based on the received RF signals, and output each of the RF signals at a corresponding one of the outputs 324-1 to 324-N. As further discussed below, the first transmitter array 320 may use beamforming to adjust the phase between the RF signals, thereby electrically manipulating the transmit beam of the first antenna array 325.

[0054] The second transmitter array 370 has multiple outputs 374-1 to 374-N, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding antenna in the second antenna array 335. Figure 3 (Not shown). The second transmitter array 370 is configured to receive RF signals in a second frequency band (e.g., a high-frequency band) from the second mixer 358 via the second PDN 363, generate RF signals based on the received RF signals, and output each of the RF signals at a corresponding one of the outputs 374-1 to 374-N. As further discussed below, the second transmitter array 370 can use beamforming to adjust the phase between the RF signals, thereby electrically manipulating the transmit beam of the second RF array 335.

[0055] The third transmitter array 330 has multiple outputs 334-1 to 334-N, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding antenna in the second antenna array 335. Figure 3 (Not shown). The third transmitter array 330 is configured to receive RF signals in a first frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band) from either the first mixer 318 or the third mixer 346 via the first PDN 323, generate RF signals based on the received RF signals, and output each of the RF signals at a corresponding one of the outputs 334-1 to 334-N. As further discussed below, the third transmitter array 330 may use beamforming to adjust the phase between the RF signals, thereby electrically manipulating the transmit beam of the second antenna array 335. In this example, each antenna in the second antenna array 335 may be coupled to a corresponding one of the outputs 374-1 to 374-N of the second transmitter array 370 and a corresponding one of the outputs 334-1 to 334-N of the third transmitter array 330, and each antenna may be a multi-band antenna configured to transmit in both the first and second frequency bands.

[0056] The fourth transmitter array 360 has multiple outputs 364-1 to 364-N, each of which can be coupled to a corresponding antenna in the first antenna array 325. Figure 3 (Not shown). The fourth transmitter array 360 is configured to receive RF signals in a second frequency band (e.g., a high-frequency band) from the second mixer 358 or the fourth mixer 386 via the second PDN 363, generate RF signals based on the received RF signals, and output each of the RF signals at a corresponding one of the outputs 364-1 to 364-N. As further discussed below, the fourth transmitter array 360 can use beamforming to adjust the phase between the RF signals, thereby electrically manipulating the transmit beam of the first antenna array 325. In this example, each antenna in the first antenna array 325 can be coupled to a corresponding one of the outputs 324-1 to 324-N of the first transmitter array 320 and a corresponding one of the outputs 364-1 to 364-N of the fourth transmitter array 360, and each antenna can be a multi-band antenna configured to transmit in both the first and second frequency bands.

[0057] As discussed above, the transmission system 305 can be selectively switched (i.e., configured) by the mode controller 395 to operate in any of a variety of transmission modes. In this regard, exemplary transmission modes will now be described in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure.

[0058] In the first transmission mode, the transmission system 305 simultaneously transmits RF signals in both a first and a second frequency band. In the first transmission mode, the mode controller 395 disconnects the first switch 390 and the second switch 392. In this mode, the input 308 of the transmission system 305 simultaneously (e.g., from an IF circuit) receives a first IF signal for the first frequency band and a second IF signal for the second frequency band. Figure 4A Examples of the first IF signal 420 and the second IF signal 425 are shown on the frequency diagram. Figure 4A As shown, the first IF signal 420 and the second IF signal 425 have different frequencies, thus allowing filtering to separate the first IF signal 420 and the second IF signal 425. In one example, the first filter 310 uses a filter with... Figure 4A The exemplary frequency response 410 shown is an LPF implementation, and the second filter 350 is equipped with... Figure 4AThe exemplary frequency response 415 shown is an HPF implementation. In this example, the first filter 310 has a cutoff frequency higher than the frequency of the first IF signal 420, and the second filter 350 has a cutoff frequency lower than the frequency of the second IF signal 425. Therefore, the first filter 310 allows the first IF signal 420 to pass and suppresses the second IF signal 425, and the second filter 350 allows the second IF signal 425 to pass and suppresses the first IF signal 420. This can be done, for example, to avoid interference between signals in the first and second frequency bands, to suppress emissions generated from other frequency bands, and / or to maintain 3GPP-compliant linearity. In this example, the cutoff frequency of the first filter 310 may be referred to as the first cutoff frequency, and the cutoff frequency of the second filter 350 may be referred to as the second cutoff frequency.

[0059] As used in this article, the cutoff frequency (also known as the inflection point frequency) can be defined as the frequency at which a filter attenuates a signal by -3dB. Furthermore, as used in this article, a filter suppresses a signal when it attenuates it by at least -3dB.

[0060] The first frequency synthesizer 340 generates a first LO signal to upconvert the first IF signal 420 to the desired first RF signal 450 at the first mixer 318. Figure 4B (As shown in the diagram). In this example, the first RF signal 450 is in a first frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band). The first RF signal 450 is coupled to the input 322 of the first transmitter array 320 via the first PDN 323. This is because, in this example, the first input 326 of the first PDN 323 is coupled to the first output 328 of the first PDN 323. The first transmitter array 320 transmits the first RF signal 450 via the first antenna array 325.

[0061] In some respects, the third transmitter array 330 can also receive the first RF signal 450 via the first PDN 323 and transmit the first RF signal 450 via the second antenna array 335. In this example, the mode controller 395 is reconfigured (i.e., causes) the first PDN 323 to couple its first input 326 to its second output 329 (which is coupled to the input 332 of the third transmitter array 330). Therefore, in this example, the first RF signal 450 can be transmitted via the first antenna array 325 and the second antenna array 335 to obtain increased antenna gain and increased effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP).

[0062] The second frequency synthesizer 345 generates a second LO signal to upconvert the second IF signal 425 to the desired second RF signal 455 at the second mixer 358. Figure 4B(As shown in the diagram). In this example, the second RF signal 455 is in a second frequency band (e.g., a high-frequency band). It should be understood that the spacing between the first IF signal 420 and the second IF signal 425 may differ from the spacing between the first RF signal 450 and the second RF signal 455. The second RF signal 455 is coupled to the input 372 of the second transmitter array 370 via the second PDN 363. This is because, in this example, the first input 366 of the second PDN 363 is coupled to the first output 368 of the second PDN 363. The second transmitter array 370 transmits the second RF signal 455 via the second antenna array 335.

[0063] In some respects, the fourth transmitter array 360 can also receive the second RF signal 455 via the second PDN 363 and transmit the second RF signal 455 via the first antenna array 325. In this example, the mode controller 395 is reconfigured (i.e., causes) the second PDN 363 to couple its first input 366 to its second output 369 (which is coupled to the input 362 of the fourth transmitter array 360). Therefore, in this example, the second RF signal 455 can be transmitted via the first antenna array 325 and the second antenna array 335 to obtain increased antenna gain and increased effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP).

[0064] In the second transmission mode, the transmission system 305 simultaneously transmits RF signals in the first frequency band. In the second transmission mode, the mode controller 395 opens the first switch 390 and closes the second switch 392. In this mode, the input terminal 308 of the transmission system 305 simultaneously (e.g., from the IF circuit) receives both the first and second IF signals. Figure 5A An example of a first IF signal 520 and a second IF signal 525 is shown on a frequency diagram, in which the first IF signal 520 and the second IF signal 525 have different frequencies. An example is given where the first filter 310 is implemented using an LPF with a cutoff frequency higher than that of the first IF signal 520, and the second filter 350 is implemented using an HPF with a cutoff frequency lower than that of the second IF signal 525. Figure 5A An exemplary frequency response 510 of the first filter 310 and an exemplary frequency response 515 of the second filter 350 are also shown. In this example, the first filter 310 causes the first IF signal 520 in the first signal path 315 to pass through while simultaneously suppressing the second IF signal 525, and the second filter 350 causes the second IF signal 525 in the second signal path 355 to pass through while simultaneously suppressing the first IF signal 520.

[0065] The first frequency synthesizer 340 generates a first LO signal to upconvert the first IF signal 520 to the desired first RF signal 550 at the first mixer 318. Figure 5B (As shown in the diagram). In this example, the first RF signal 550 is in a first frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band). The frequency of the first LO signal in the second transmission mode may be different from that in the first transmission mode. The first RF signal 550 is coupled to the input 322 of the first transmitter array 320 via the first PDN 323, and the first transmitter array 320 transmits the first RF signal 550 via the first antenna array 325. This is because, in this example, the first input 326 of the first PDN 323 is coupled to the first output 328 of the first PDN 323.

[0066] The second frequency synthesizer 345 generates a second LO signal to upconvert the second IF signal 525 to the desired second RF signal 555 at the third mixer 346. Figure 5B As shown in the diagram, the third mixer is coupled to the second frequency synthesizer 345 via a second switch 392 (which is closed in the second transmit mode). In this example, the second RF signal 555 is in a first frequency band (e.g., a low frequency band) and can be separated from the first RF signal 550 at frequencies within the first frequency band. The frequency of the second LO signal in the second transmit mode can be different from that in the first transmit mode. In this regard, the mode controller 395 can adjust the frequency of the second LO output by the second frequency synthesizer 345 when the transmit system 305 is switched to the second transmit mode, such that the second RF signal 555 is in the first frequency band.

[0067] In the second transmit mode, the second RF signal 555 is coupled to input 332 of the third transmitter array 330 via the first PDN 323, and the third transmitter array 330 transmits the second RF signal 555 via the second antenna array 335. For this purpose, the mode controller 395 is reconfigured (i.e., the first PDN 323 couples the second input 327 (which is coupled to the third mixer 346) to the second output 329 (which is coupled to the third transmitter array 330).

[0068] In the third transmission mode, the transmission system 305 simultaneously transmits RF signals in the second frequency band. In the third transmission mode, the mode controller 395 closes the first switch 390 and opens the second switch 392. In this mode, the input terminal 308 of the transmission system 305 simultaneously (e.g., from the IF circuit) receives both the first IF signal and the second IF signal. Figure 6AAn example of a first IF signal 620 and a second IF signal 625 is shown on a frequency diagram, in which the first IF signal 620 and the second IF signal 625 have different frequencies. An example is given where the first filter 310 is implemented using an LPF with a cutoff frequency higher than that of the first IF signal 620, and the second filter 350 is implemented using an HPF with a cutoff frequency lower than that of the second IF signal 625. Figure 6A An exemplary frequency response 610 of the first filter 310 and an exemplary frequency response 615 of the second filter 350 are also shown. In this example, the first filter 310 causes the first IF signal 620 in the first signal path 315 to pass through while simultaneously suppressing the second IF signal 625, and the second filter 350 causes the second IF signal 625 in the second signal path 355 to pass through while simultaneously suppressing the first IF signal 620.

[0069] The first frequency synthesizer 340 generates a first LO signal to upconvert the first IF signal 620 to the desired first RF signal 650 at the fourth mixer 386. Figure 6B As shown in the diagram, the fourth mixer is coupled to the first frequency synthesizer 340 via a first switch 390 (which is closed in the third transmit mode). In this example, the first RF signal 650 is in the second frequency band. The frequency of the first LO signal in the third transmit mode may differ from that in the first and second transmit modes. In this regard, the mode controller 395 can adjust the frequency of the first LO output by the first frequency synthesizer 340 when the transmit system 305 is switched to the third transmit mode, such that the first RF signal 650 is in the second frequency band.

[0070] The first RF signal 650 is coupled to input 362 of the fourth transmitter array 360 via the second PDN 363, and the fourth transmitter array 360 transmits the first RF signal 650 via the first antenna array 325. For this purpose, the mode controller 395 is reconfigured (i.e., the second PDN 363 couples the second input 367 (which is coupled to the fourth mixer 386) to the second output 369 (which is coupled to the fourth transmitter array 360).

[0071] The second frequency synthesizer 345 generates a second LO signal to upconvert the second IF signal 625 to the desired second RF signal 655 at the second mixer 358. Figure 6B(As shown in the diagram). In this example, the second RF signal 655 is in the second frequency band. The second RF signal 655 is coupled to the input 372 of the second transmitter array 370 via the second PDN 363, and the second transmitter array 370 transmits the second RF signal 655 via the second antenna array 335. This is because, in this example, the first input 366 of the second PDN 363 is coupled to the first output 368 of the second PDN 363.

[0072] Therefore, with Figure 1 Unlike the transmission system 105 shown, the multi-band transmission system 305 supports (e.g., in a first transmission mode) simultaneous multi-band transmission in a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The multi-band transmission system 305 also supports (e.g., in a second transmission mode) simultaneous transmission in the first frequency band and (e.g., in a third transmission mode) simultaneous transmission in the second frequency band.

[0073] exist Figure 4A , Figure 5A and Figure 6A In the examples, the first filter 310 is implemented using an LPF, and the second filter 350 is implemented using an HPF. However, it should be understood that the first filter 310 and the second filter 350 are not limited to these examples. For example, in other specific implementations, the first filter 310 and / or the second filter 350 may each be implemented using a notch filter, a bandpass filter, or another type of filter capable of separating IF signals at different frequencies. For example, the first filter 310 may be implemented using a bandpass filter where the first IF signal is within the passband of the first filter 310 and the second IF signal is outside the passband of the first filter 310. Similarly, the second filter 350 may be implemented using a bandpass filter where the second IF signal is within the passband of the second filter 350 and the first IF signal is outside the passband of the second filter 350. In this example, the passband of the first filter 310 may be referred to as the first passband, and the passband of the second filter 350 may be referred to as the second passband.

[0074] In some respects, the transmission system 305 can operate in carrier aggregation (CA) mode, in which the transmission system 305 uses multiple carriers (also referred to as component carriers) to transmit data simultaneously. In one example, the mode controller 395 can operate the transmission system 305 in CA mode during a first transmission mode, in which a first RF signal is used to transmit data on one or more carriers in a first frequency band, and a second RF signal is used to transmit data on one or more other carriers in a second frequency band.

[0075] Figure 7AAn exemplary specific implementation of a first PDN 323 according to certain aspects is shown. In this example, the first PDN 323 includes a third amplifier 710, a fourth amplifier 720, and a fifth amplifier 730. The third amplifier 710 has a signal input 712 coupled to a first input 326, an enable input 716 coupled to a mode controller 395, and an output 714 coupled to a first output 328. The fourth amplifier 720 has a signal input 722 coupled to the first input 326, an enable input 726 coupled to the mode controller 395, and an output 724 coupled to a second output 329. The fifth amplifier 730 has a signal input 732 coupled to a second input 327, an enable input 736 coupled to the mode controller 395, and an output 734 coupled to the second output 329. As further discussed below, in this example, the mode controller 395 is configured to reconfigure the first PDN 323 by selectively enabling or disabling each of the third amplifier 710, the fourth amplifier 720, and the fifth amplifier 730 via corresponding enable inputs 716, 726, and 736. When enabled, each of the third amplifier 710, the fourth amplifier 720, and the fifth amplifier 730 is configured to amplify the signal at the corresponding signal inputs 712, 722, and 732, and output the amplified signal at the corresponding outputs 714, 724, and 734.

[0076] In this example, the second PDN 363 includes a sixth amplifier 740, a seventh amplifier 750, and an eighth amplifier 760. The sixth amplifier 740 has a signal input 742 coupled to a first input 366, an enable input 746 coupled to a mode controller 395, and an output 744 coupled to a first output 368. The seventh amplifier 750 has a signal input 752 coupled to the first input 366, an enable input 756 coupled to the mode controller 395, and an output 754 coupled to a second output 369. The eighth amplifier 760 has a signal input 762 coupled to a second input 367, an enable input 766 coupled to the mode controller 395, and an output 764 coupled to the second output 369. As further discussed below, in this example, the mode controller 395 is configured to reconfigure the second PDN 363 by selectively enabling or disabling each of the sixth amplifier 740, the seventh amplifier 750, and the eighth amplifier 760 via corresponding enable inputs 746, 756, and 766. When enabled, each of the sixth amplifier 740, the seventh amplifier 750, and the eighth amplifier 760 is configured to amplify the signal at the corresponding signal inputs 742, 752, and 762, and output the amplified signal at the corresponding outputs 744, 754, and 764.

[0077] In the first transmit mode, the mode controller 395 enables (i.e., activates) the third amplifier 710, enables the fourth amplifier 720, and disables the fifth amplifier 730 to couple the first input terminal 326 of the first PDN 323 to the first output terminal 328 and the second output terminal 329 of the first PDN 323. The mode controller 395 enables the sixth amplifier 740, enables the seventh amplifier 750, and disables the eighth amplifier 760 to couple the first input terminal 366 of the second PDN 363 to the first output terminal 368 and the second output terminal 369 of the second PDN 363.

[0078] In the second transmit mode, the mode controller 395 enables (i.e., activates) the third amplifier 710, disables the fourth amplifier 720, and enables the fifth amplifier 730 to couple the first input terminal 326 of the first PDN 323 to the first output terminal 328 of the first PDN 323 via the third amplifier 710, and to couple the second input terminal 327 of the first PDN 323 to the second output terminal 329 of the first PDN 323 via the fifth amplifier 730. The mode controller 395 can also disable the sixth amplifier 740, the seventh amplifier 750, and the eighth amplifier 760 in the second PDN 363.

[0079] In the third transmit mode, the mode controller 395 enables (i.e., activates) the sixth amplifier 740, disables the seventh amplifier 750, and enables the eighth amplifier 760 to couple the first input 366 of the second PDN 363 to the first output 368 of the second PDN 363 via the sixth amplifier 740, and to couple the second input 367 of the second PDN 363 to the second output 369 of the second PDN 363 via the eighth amplifier 760. The mode controller 395 can also disable the third amplifier 710, the fourth amplifier 720, and the fifth amplifier 730 in the first PDN 323.

[0080] It should be understood that the first PDN 323 is not limited to Figure 7A The exemplary embodiments shown are as follows. For example, in some embodiments, the third amplifier 710, the fourth amplifier 720, and / or the fifth amplifier 730 may be omitted. In these embodiments, the first PDN 323 may include a switch for providing reconfigurability to the first PDN 323. In this regard, Figure 7BAn example is shown of a first PDN 323 including a first switch 780 between a first input 326 and a first output 328, a second switch 782 between the first input 326 and a second output 329, and a third switch 784 between a second input 327 and a second output 329. In this example, a mode controller 395 can reconfigure the first PDN 323 by selectively turning the first switch 780, the second switch 782, and the third switch 784 on or off. For example, in a first transmit mode, the mode controller 395 can turn on the first switch 780, turn on the second switch 782, and turn off the third switch 784 to couple the first input 326 to the first output 328 and the second output 329. In a second transmit mode, the mode controller 395 can turn on the first switch 780, turn off the second switch 782, and turn on the third switch 784 to couple the first input 326 to the first output 328 and the second input 327 to the second output 329. In other examples, the first PDN 323 can be implemented using a combination of switches and amplifiers. For example, in some specific implementations, Figure 7A One or both of the third amplifier 710, fourth amplifier 720 and fifth amplifier 730 shown may be replaced by a corresponding one of the first switch 780, second switch 782 and third switch 784.

[0081] It should be understood that the second PDN 363 is not limited to Figure 7A The exemplary embodiments shown are as follows. For example, in some embodiments, the sixth amplifier 740, the seventh amplifier 750, and / or the eighth amplifier 760 may be omitted. In this respect, Figure 7B An example of a second PDN 363 is shown, comprising a first switch 790 between a first input 366 and a first output 368, a second switch 792 between the first input 366 and a second output 369, and a third switch 794 between the second input 367 and the second output 369. In this example, a mode controller 395 can reconfigure the second PDN 363 by selectively turning the first switch 790, the second switch 792, and the third switch 794 on or off. For example, in a first transmit mode, the mode controller 395 can turn on the first switch 790, turn on the second switch 792, and turn off the third switch 794 to couple the first input 366 to the first output 368 and the second output 369. In a third transmit mode, the mode controller 395 can turn on the first switch 790, turn off the second switch 792, and turn on the third switch 794 to couple the first input 366 to the first output 368 and the second input 367 to the second output 369. In some examples, the second PDN 363 can be implemented using a combination of switches and amplifiers.

[0082] Figure 7A and Figure 7B An example is also shown where the first signal path 315 further includes a ninth amplifier 770 and a third filter 772 according to certain aspects. In this example, the first filter 310, the first amplifier 312, the ninth amplifier 770, and the third filter 772 are coupled in series between the input 314 and the output 316 of the first signal path 315. The ninth amplifier 770 (e.g., a variable gain amplifier) ​​can be used to increase the gain of the first signal path 315, and the third filter 772 (e.g., an LPF) can be used to improve the frequency selectivity of the first signal path 315 (e.g., to further suppress the second IF signals 425, 525, or 625).

[0083] exist Figure 7A and Figure 7B In the example shown, the second signal path 355 further includes a tenth amplifier 774 and a fourth filter 776, depending on certain aspects. In this example, the second filter 350, the second amplifier 352, the tenth amplifier 774, and the fourth filter 776 are coupled in series between the input 354 and the output 356 of the second signal path 355. The tenth amplifier 774 (e.g., a variable gain amplifier) ​​can be used to increase the gain of the second signal path 355, and the fourth filter 776 (e.g., an HPF) can be used to improve the frequency selectivity of the second signal path 355 (e.g., to further suppress the first IF signals 420, 520, or 620).

[0084] It should be understood that the launch system 305 may include Figure 3 , Figure 7A and Figure 7B Additional devices not shown. For example, in some embodiments, the transmitting system 305 may include one or more power detectors for measuring the transmit power at the output of one or more of the transmitter arrays 320, 330, 360, and 370. In another example, the transmitting system 305 may include one or more duplexers for switching the antennas of the first antenna array 325 and the second antenna array 335 between the transmitting system 305 and the receiving system (not shown). In another example, the transmitting system 305 may also include a third frequency synthesizer coupled to a third mixer 346 and a fourth synthesizer coupled to a fourth mixer 386, instead of the first switch 390 and the second switch 392. In this example, the third frequency synthesizer may be configured to output a local oscillator to the third mixer 346 in a second transmit mode for upconverting the second IF signal 525 to the second RF signal 555, and the fourth frequency synthesizer may be configured to output a local oscillator to the fourth mixer 386 in the third transmit mode for upconverting the first IF signal 620 to the first RF signal 650.

[0085] Furthermore, it should be understood that in some specific implementations, certain steps can be omitted. Figure 3 , Figure 7A and Figure 7B One or more devices are shown in the examples. For example, in an example where the transmitting system 305 does not use the second transmitting mode and does not use the third transmitter array 330 in the first transmitting mode to transmit the first RF signal 450, the third transmitter array 330, the third mixer 346, the fourth amplifier 720, and the fifth amplifier 730 can be omitted. In an example where the transmitting system 305 does not use the third transmitting mode and does not use the fourth transmitter array 360 in the first transmitting mode to transmit the second RF signal 455, the fourth transmitter array 360, the fourth mixer 386, the seventh amplifier 750, and the eighth amplifier 760 can be omitted.

[0086] It should also be understood that, for example, the transmitting system 305 may share one or more devices with the receiving system to minimize chip area and share design target specifications. For example, the transmitting system 305 may share a first frequency synthesizer 340 and / or a second frequency synthesizer 345 with the receiving system. In another example, the transmitting system 305 may share a first filter 310 (e.g., an LPF filter) and a second filter 350 (e.g., an HPF filter) with the receiving system.

[0087] Figure 8 An exemplary specific implementation of a transmitter array 810 according to certain aspects is shown. Each of the first transmitter array 320, the second transmitter array 370, the third transmitter array 330, and the fourth transmitter array 360 can be used Figure 8 This is implemented using a separate instance of the exemplary transmitter array 810.

[0088] In this example, transmitter array 810 includes a PDN 830 (also referred to as a frequency divider or splitter) and multiple transmit chains 822-1 to 822-N. PDN 830 has an input 832 coupled to input 812 of transmitter array 810 and multiple outputs 834-1 to 834-N. PDN 830 is configured to receive an RF signal at input 832 and split that RF signal into multiple RF signals at outputs 834-1 to 834-N. Each of transmit chains 822-1 to 822-N has an input 824-1 to 824-N coupled to a corresponding output of PDN 830, and outputs 826-1 to 826-N coupled to a corresponding output of transmitter array 814-1 to 814-N.

[0089] exist Figure 8In the example shown, each of the transmit chains 822-1 to 822-N includes a corresponding amplifier 825-1 to 825-N (e.g., a variable gain amplifier), a corresponding phase shifter 827-1 to 827-N, and a corresponding power amplifier 828-1 to 828-N. In each of the transmit chains 822-1 to 822-N, the input of the corresponding amplifier 825-1 to 825-N is coupled to the corresponding output of the PDN 830, the input of the corresponding phase shifter 827-1 to 827-N is coupled to the output of the corresponding amplifier 825-1 to 825-N, the input of the corresponding power amplifier 828-1 to 828-N is coupled to the output of the corresponding phase shifter 827-1 to 827-N, and the output of the corresponding power amplifier 828-1 to 828-N is coupled to the corresponding output of the transmitter array 810.

[0090] Each of the phase shifters 827-1 to 827-N is configured to shift the phase of a corresponding RF signal accordingly to set the transmit beam direction of a corresponding antenna array (e.g., a corresponding one of the first antenna array 325 and the second antenna array 335). In this respect, the beamformer controller 850 sets the phase shift of the phase shifters 827-1 to 827-N based on the desired transmit beam direction.

[0091] Figure 9 An exemplary specific implementation of a first antenna array 325 according to certain aspects is shown. In this example, the first antenna array 325 includes a plurality of antennas 920-1 to 920-N (also referred to as antenna elements). Each of the antennas 920-1 to 920-N can be implemented as a patch antenna or another type of antenna, which can be formed on or mounted on a substrate 940 (e.g., a printed circuit board or another type of substrate). In this example, each of the antennas 920-1 to 920-N is coupled to a corresponding one of the outputs 324-1 to 324-N of the first transmitter array 320 and a corresponding one of the outputs 364-1 to 364-N of the fourth transmitter array 360.

[0092] exist Figure 9In the example shown, the system may include first filters 925-1 to 925-N, each of which is coupled between a corresponding antenna 920-1 to 920-N and a corresponding output terminal 324-1 to 324-N of the first transmitter array 320. The system may also include second filters 930-1 to 930-N, each of which is coupled between a corresponding antenna 920-1 to 920-N and a corresponding output terminal 364-1 to 364-N of the fourth transmitter array 360. The first filters 925-1 to 925-N and the second filters 930-1 to 930-N may be formed on or mounted on a substrate 940. Therefore, each of antennas 920-1 to 920-N is coupled to a corresponding one of the output terminals 324-1 to 324-N of the first transmitter array 320 via a corresponding one of the first filters 925-1 to 925-N, and is coupled to a corresponding one of the output terminals 364-1 to 364-N of the fourth transmitter array 360 via a corresponding one of the second filters 930-1 to 930-N.

[0093] In some respects, the first filters 925-1 to 925-N and the second filters 930-1 to 930-N can be configured to reduce crosstalk between the first transmitter array 320 and the fourth transmitter array 360. For the example where the first transmitter array 320 transmits RF signals in a first frequency band and the fourth transmitter array 360 transmits RF signals in a second frequency band, each of the first filters 925-1 to 925-N can be implemented using a corresponding LPF configured to allow RF signals in the first frequency band to pass and suppress RF signals in the second frequency band, and each of the second filters 930-1 to 930-N can be implemented using a corresponding HPF configured to allow RF signals in the second frequency band to pass and suppress RF signals in the first frequency band.

[0094] Figure 10An exemplary embodiment of a second linear array 335 according to certain aspects is shown. In this example, the second linear array 335 includes a plurality of antennas 1020-1 to 1020-N (also referred to as antenna elements). Each of the antennas 1020-1 to 1020-N can be implemented as a patch antenna or another type of antenna, which can be formed on or mounted on a substrate 1040 (e.g., a printed circuit board or another type of substrate). In this example, each of the antennas 1020-1 to 1020-N is coupled to a corresponding output of a third transmitter array 330 334-1 to 334-N and a corresponding output of a second transmitter array 370 374-1 to 374-N. In some embodiments, substrate 1040 and substrate 940 can be the same substrate, in which case antennas 920-1 to 920-N and 1020-1 to 1020-N are on a common substrate. In other specific implementations, substrates 1040 and 940 may be separate.

[0095] exist Figure 10 In the example shown, the system includes first filters 1025-1 to 1025-N, each of which is coupled between a corresponding antenna 1020-1 to 1020-N and a corresponding output terminal 334-1 to 334-N of the third transmitter array 330. The system may also include second filters 1030-1 to 1030-N, each of which is coupled between a corresponding antenna 1020-1 to 1020-N and a corresponding output terminal 374-1 to 374-N of the second transmitter array 370. The first filters 1025-1 to 1025-N and the second filters 1030-1 to 1030-N may be formed on or mounted on the substrate 1040. Therefore, each of antennas 1020-1 to 1020-N is coupled to a corresponding one of the first filters 1025-1 to 1025-N via a first filter 334-1 to 334-N, and is coupled to a corresponding one of the outputs 374-1 to 374-N of the second transmitter array 370 via a second filter 1030-1 to 1030-N.

[0096] In some respects, the first filters 1025-1 to 1025-N and the second filters 1030-1 to 1030-N can be configured to reduce crosstalk between the third transmitter array 330 and the second transmitter array 370. For the example where the third transmitter array 330 transmits RF signals in a first frequency band and the second transmitter array 370 transmits RF signals in a second frequency band, each of the first filters 1025-1 to 1025-N can be implemented using a corresponding LPF configured to allow RF signals in the first frequency band to pass and suppress RF signals in the second frequency band, and each of the second filters 1030-1 to 1030-N can be implemented using a corresponding HPF configured to allow RF signals in the second frequency band to pass and suppress RF signals in the first frequency band.

[0097] Although the transmitter arrays 320, 330, 360, and 370 are in Figure 3 , Figure 7A and Figure 7B The examples shown have the same number (i.e., N) of outputs, but it should be understood that this is not necessary, and transmitter arrays 320, 330, 360, and 370 can have different numbers of outputs. Furthermore, it should be understood that the first antenna array 325 and the second antenna array 335 can have different numbers of antennas.

[0098] Figure 11 An example of a system including a multi-band transmission system 305, a first antenna array 325, and a second antenna array 335 is shown. The system also includes an IF circuit 1120 and a baseband processor 1110 (also referred to as a modem). The IF 1120 has an input 1122 coupled to an output 1112 of the baseband processor 1110, and an output 1124 coupled to an input 308 of the multi-band transmission system 305.

[0099] In this example, baseband processor 1110 is configured to receive data signals and / or control signals, and process these data signals and / or control signals into baseband signals. The processing performed by baseband processor 1110 may include encoding and / or modulating the data signals and / or control signals. Baseband processor 1110 outputs the baseband signal at output terminal 1112.

[0100] The IF circuit 1120 is configured to convert a baseband signal into an IF signal (e.g., IF signals 420, 425, 520, 525, 620, and / or 625) and output the IF signal from output 1124 to the transmitting system 305. For example, the IF circuit 1120 can convert a baseband signal into an IF signal by up-converting the baseband signal. In this example, the IF circuit 1120 may include a mixer (not shown) for mixing the baseband signal with one or more LO signals to up-convert the baseband signal into an IF signal. The frequency of the IF signal is between the frequency of the RF signal transmitted by the transmitting system 305 and the baseband frequency. In some implementations, the IF circuit 1120 and the transmitting system 305 may be integrated on separate chips, with the output 1124 of the IF circuit 1120 coupled to the input 308 of the transmitting system 305 via a cable or transmission line.

[0101] Figure 12 A method 1200 for transmission according to certain aspects of this disclosure is shown. Method 1200 can be performed, for example, by a transmission system 305.

[0102] At block 1210, a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal and a second IF signal are received via a common input. For example, the common input may correspond to IF input 308. The first IF signal and the second IF signal may originate from an IF circuit (e.g., IF circuit 1120).

[0103] At block 1220, the first IF signal is up-converted to a first radio frequency (RF) signal. For example, the first IF signal can be up-converted by a first mixer 318.

[0104] At block 1230, a first RF signal is transmitted via a first antenna array. For example, the first RF signal may be transmitted by a first transmitter array 320 via a first antenna array (e.g., a first antenna array 325).

[0105] At box 1240, the second IF signal is up-converted to a second RF signal. For example, the second IF signal can be up-converted by the second mixer 358.

[0106] At block 1250, a second RF signal is transmitted via a second secondary linear array, wherein in a first transmission mode, the first RF signal is in a first frequency band and the second RF signal is in a second frequency band, and in a second transmission mode, both the first and second RF signals are in the first frequency band. For example, the second RF signal may be transmitted by a second transmitter array 370 via a second secondary linear array (e.g., second secondary linear array 335).

[0107] In one example, the first frequency band is in the frequency range of 24 GHz to 29 GHz, and the second frequency band is in the frequency range of 37 GHz to 48 GHz. However, it should be understood that the first and second frequency bands are not limited to this example.

[0108] In some aspects, method 1200 may also include transmitting a first RF signal via a second antenna array and transmitting a second RF signal via a first antenna array in a first transmission mode. For example, the first RF signal may be transmitted by a third transmitter array 330 via the second antenna array, and the second RF signal may be transmitted by a fourth transmitter array 360 via the first antenna array.

[0109] In some respects, in the third transmission mode, both the first RF signal and the second RF signal are in the second frequency band.

[0110] In some aspects, transmitting a first RF signal via a first antenna array may include routing the first RF signal to an input of a first transmitter array (e.g., first transmitter array 320) coupled to the first antenna array, and transmitting a second RF signal via a second antenna array may include routing the second RF signal to an input of a second transmitter array (e.g., second transmitter array 370) coupled to the second antenna array in a first transmission mode, and routing the second RF signal to an input of a third transmitter array (e.g., third transmitter array 330) coupled to the second antenna array in a second transmission mode. For example, the first RF signal may be routed by a first PDN 323, and the second RF signal may be routed by a second PDN 363 in the first transmission mode and by the first PDN 323 in the second transmission mode.

[0111] The mode controller 395 discussed above can be implemented using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete hardware component (e.g., logic gate), or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor can perform the functions by executing software that includes code for performing the functions described herein. The software can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, optical disk, and / or magnetic disk.

[0112] Examples of implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0113] 1. An apparatus comprising:

[0114] A first signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the first signal path is coupled to an intermediate frequency (IF) input, and the first signal path includes a first filter configured to allow a first IF signal to pass through and suppress a second IF signal.

[0115] A second signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the second signal path is coupled to the IF input, and the second signal path includes a second filter configured to allow the second IF signal to pass through and suppress the first IF signal;

[0116] A first transmitter array, the first transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0117] A second transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0118] A third transmitter array, the third transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0119] A first power distribution network (PDN) has a first input, a second input, a first output coupled to the input of the first transmitter array, and a second output coupled to the input of the third transmitter array.

[0120] A first mixer is coupled between the output of the first signal path and the first input of the first PDN.

[0121] A second mixer, coupled between the output of the second signal path and the input of the second transmitter array; and

[0122] A third mixer is coupled between the output of the second signal path and the second input of the first PDN.

[0123] 2. The apparatus according to Clause 1, wherein:

[0124] The first filter includes a low-pass filter; and

[0125] The second filter includes a high-pass filter.

[0126] 3. The apparatus according to Clause 2, wherein:

[0127] The first signal path further includes a first amplifier coupled in series with the first filter; and

[0128] The second signal path also includes a second amplifier coupled in series with the second filter.

[0129] 4. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, further comprising a controller coupled to the first PDN, wherein the controller is configured to:

[0130] In the first transmit mode, the first PDN couples its first input terminal to its first output terminal and its second output terminal; and

[0131] In the second transmit mode, the first PDN couples the second input terminal of the first PDN to the second output terminal of the first PDN.

[0132] 5. The apparatus according to Clause 4, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first PDN to operate in the first transmit mode during carrier aggregation mode.

[0133] 6. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the first PDN comprises:

[0134] A first amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the first PDN and the first output terminal of the PDN.

[0135] A second amplifier, coupled between the first input terminal and the second output terminal of the PDN; and

[0136] A third amplifier is coupled between the second input terminal of the first PDN and the second output terminal of the first PND.

[0137] 7. The apparatus according to Clause 6 further includes a controller, wherein in a first transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, enable the second amplifier, and disable the third amplifier.

[0138] 8. The apparatus according to Clause 7, wherein in the second transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, disable the second amplifier, and enable the third amplifier.

[0139] 9. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, further comprising:

[0140] A fourth transmitter array, the fourth transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0141] A second PDN, the second PDN having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the second transmitter array, and a second output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the fourth transmitter array, wherein the second mixer is coupled between the output terminal of the second signal path and the first input terminal of the second PDN; and

[0142] A fourth mixer is coupled between the output of the first signal path and the second input of the second PDN.

[0143] 10. The apparatus according to Clause 9 further includes a controller coupled to the first PDN and the second PDN, wherein the controller is configured to:

[0144] In the first transmit mode, the first PDN couples its first input terminal to its second output terminal, and the second PDN couples its first input terminal to its second output terminal.

[0145] In the second transmit mode, the first PDN couples its second input terminal to its second output terminal; and

[0146] In the third transmit mode, the second PDN couples the second input terminal of the second PDN to the second output terminal of the second PDN.

[0147] 11. The apparatus according to Clause 10, wherein in the first transmit mode, the controller is configured to cause the first PDN to couple the first input of the first PDN to the first output of the first PDN, and to cause the second PDN to couple the first input of the second PDN to the first output of the second PDN.

[0148] 12. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 9 to 11, further comprising:

[0149] A first frequency synthesizer, the first frequency synthesizer being coupled to the first mixer;

[0150] A second frequency synthesizer, which is coupled to the second mixer;

[0151] A first switch, coupled between the first frequency synthesizer and the fourth mixer; and

[0152] A second switch is coupled between the second frequency synthesizer and the third mixer.

[0153] 13. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 9 to 12, wherein the first PDN comprises:

[0154] A first amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the first PDN and the first output terminal of the first PDN.

[0155] A second amplifier, coupled between the first input terminal and the second output terminal of the first PDN; and

[0156] A third amplifier is coupled between the second input terminal of the first PDN and the second output terminal of the first PND.

[0157] 14. The apparatus according to Clause 13, wherein the second PDN comprises:

[0158] A fourth amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the second PDN and the first output terminal of the second PDN;

[0159] A fifth amplifier, coupled between the first input terminal of the second PDN and the second output terminal of the second PDN; and

[0160] A sixth amplifier is coupled between the second input terminal of the second PDN and the second output terminal of the second PND.

[0161] 15. The apparatus according to Clause 14 further includes a controller, wherein:

[0162] In the first transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, enable the second amplifier, disable the third amplifier, enable the fourth amplifier, enable the fifth amplifier, and disable the sixth amplifier;

[0163] In the second transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, disable the second amplifier, and enable the third amplifier; and

[0164] In the third transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the fourth amplifier, disable the fifth amplifier, and enable the sixth amplifier.

[0165] 16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 15 further includes a first antenna array, the first antenna array including first antennas, wherein each of the first antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the output of the first transmitter array and a corresponding output of the output of the fourth transmitter array.

[0166] 17. The apparatus of claim 16 further includes a second antenna array, the second antenna array including second antennas, wherein each of the second antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the third transmitter array and a corresponding output of the second transmitter array.

[0167] 18. The apparatus according to clause 16 or 17 further includes:

[0168] First filter; and

[0169] Second filter;

[0170] Each of the first antennas is coupled to a corresponding output terminal of the first transmitter array via a corresponding first filter in the first filter, and is coupled to a corresponding output terminal of the fourth transmitter array via a corresponding second filter in the second filter.

[0171] 19. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 18, further comprising:

[0172] Baseband processor; and

[0173] An IF circuit is coupled between the baseband processor and the IF input terminal.

[0174] 20. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the first transmitter array comprises:

[0175] A second PDN, having an input terminal and multiple output terminals, wherein the input terminal of the second PDN is coupled to the input terminal of the first transmitter array; and

[0176] Multiple transmitter chains, wherein each transmitter chain is coupled between a corresponding output of the second PDN and a corresponding output of the first transmitter array, and wherein each transmitter chain includes a corresponding phase shifter.

[0177] 21. A method for launching, comprising:

[0178] Receives the first intermediate frequency (IF) signal and the second IF signal via a common input terminal;

[0179] Upconvert the first IF signal into a first radio frequency (RF) signal;

[0180] The first RF signal is transmitted via the first antenna array;

[0181] Upconvert the second IF signal to a second RF signal; and

[0182] The second RF signal is transmitted via the second antenna array;

[0183] In the first transmission mode, the first RF signal is in a first frequency band and the second RF signal is in a second frequency band; and

[0184] In the second transmission mode, both the first RF signal and the second RF signal are in the first frequency band.

[0185] 22. The method according to Clause 21 further includes, in the first transmission mode, transmitting the first RF signal via the second antenna array and transmitting the second RF signal via the first antenna array.

[0186] 23. The method according to Clause 21 or 22, wherein in the third transmission mode, both the first RF signal and the second RF signal are in the second frequency band.

[0187] 24. The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 23, wherein the first frequency band is in the frequency range of 24 GHz to 29 GHz and the second frequency band is in the frequency range of 37 GHz to 48 GHz.

[0188] 25. The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 24, wherein:

[0189] Transmitting the first RF signal via the first antenna array includes routing the first RF signal to the input of a first transmitter array coupled to the first antenna array; and

[0190] Transmitting the second RF signal via the second antenna array includes:

[0191] In the first transmission mode, the second RF signal is routed to the input of a second transmitter array coupled to the second antenna array; and

[0192] In the second transmission mode, the second RF signal is routed to the input of a third transmitter array coupled to the second antenna array.

[0193] 26. An apparatus comprising:

[0194] A first signal path, the first signal path having an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the first signal path includes a first filter;

[0195] A second signal path having an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the second signal path includes a second filter, and the input terminal of the first signal path and the input terminal of the second signal path are coupled to a common input terminal;

[0196] A first transmitter array, the first transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0197] A second transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0198] A third transmitter array, the third transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0199] A first mixer, the first mixer being coupled to the output of the first signal path;

[0200] A second mixer, the second mixer being coupled to the output of the second signal path;

[0201] A third mixer, the third mixer being coupled to the output of the second signal path;

[0202] A component for coupling the first mixer to the input of the first transmitter array in a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode;

[0203] A component for coupling the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the first transmit mode; and

[0204] A component for coupling the third mixer to the input of the third transmitter array in the second transmit mode.

[0205] 27. The apparatus according to Clause 26 further includes:

[0206] A fourth transmitter array, the fourth transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals;

[0207] A fourth mixer, coupled to the output of the first signal path; and

[0208] A component for coupling the fourth mixer to the input of the fourth transmitter array in the third transmit mode;

[0209] The component for coupling the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the first transmission mode couples the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the third transmission mode.

[0210] 28. The apparatus according to Clause 27 further includes a first antenna array, the first antenna array including first antennas, wherein each of the first antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the first transmitter array and a corresponding output of the fourth transmitter array.

[0211] 29. The apparatus according to Clause 28 further includes a second antenna array, the second antenna array including second antennas, wherein each of the second antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the third transmitter array and a corresponding output of the second transmitter array.

[0212] The use of designations such as "first" and "second" to refer to elements in this document generally does not limit the number or order of those elements. Rather, these designations are used here as a convenient way to distinguish two or more elements or instances of elements. Thus, a reference to the first element and the second element does not imply that only two elements can be used, or that the first element must precede the second element.

[0213] Within this disclosure, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other aspects of this disclosure. Similarly, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed. The term "coupling" is used herein to refer to direct or indirect electrical coupling between two structures.

[0214] The prior description of this disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: A first signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the first signal path is coupled to an intermediate frequency (IF) input, and the first signal path includes a first filter configured to allow a first IF signal to pass through and suppress a second IF signal. A second signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the second signal path is coupled to the IF input, and the second signal path includes a second filter configured to allow the second IF signal to pass through and suppress the first IF signal; A first transmitter array, the first transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A second transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A third transmitter array, the third transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A first power distribution network (PDN) has a first input, a second input, a first output coupled to the input of the first transmitter array, and a second output coupled to the input of the third transmitter array. A first mixer is coupled between the output of the first signal path and the first input of the first PDN. A second mixer is coupled between the output of the second signal path and the input of the second transmitter array; as well as A third mixer is coupled between the output of the second signal path and the second input of the first PDN.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first filter includes a low-pass filter; and The second filter includes a high-pass filter.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The first signal path further includes a first amplifier coupled in series with the first filter; and The second signal path also includes a second amplifier coupled in series with the second filter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to the first PDN, wherein the controller is configured to: In the first transmit mode, the first PDN couples its first input terminal to its first output terminal and its second output terminal; and In the second transmit mode, the first PDN couples the second input terminal of the first PDN to the second output terminal of the first PDN.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first PDN to operate in the first transmit mode during carrier aggregation mode.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first PDN comprises: A first amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the first PDN and the first output terminal of the first PDN. A second amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the first PDN and the second output terminal of the first PDN. as well as A third amplifier is coupled between the second input terminal of the first PDN and the second output terminal of the first PDN.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a controller, wherein in a first transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, enable the second amplifier, and disable the third amplifier.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein in the second transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, disable the second amplifier, and enable the third amplifier.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Baseband processor; as well as An IF circuit is coupled between the baseband processor and the IF input terminal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transmitter array comprises: A second PDN has an input terminal and multiple output terminals, wherein the input terminal of the second PDN is coupled to the input terminal of the first transmitter array; as well as Multiple transmitter chains, wherein each transmitter chain is coupled between a corresponding output of the second PDN and a corresponding output of the first transmitter array, and wherein each transmitter chain includes a corresponding phase shifter.

11. An apparatus comprising: A first signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the first signal path is coupled to an intermediate frequency (IF) input, and the first signal path includes a first filter configured to allow a first IF signal to pass through and suppress a second IF signal. A second signal path having an input and an output, wherein the input of the second signal path is coupled to the IF input, and the second signal path includes a second filter configured to allow the second IF signal to pass through and suppress the first IF signal; A first transmitter array, the first transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A second transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A third transmitter array, the third transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A fourth transmitter array, the fourth transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A first power distribution network (PDN) has a first input, a second input, a first output coupled to the input of the first transmitter array, and a second output coupled to the input of the third transmitter array. The second PDN has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the second transmitter array, and a second output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the fourth transmitter array; A first mixer is coupled between the output of the first signal path and the first input of the first PDN. A second mixer is coupled between the output of the second signal path and the first input of the second PDN. A third mixer is coupled between the output of the second signal path and the second input of the first PDN. as well as A fourth mixer is coupled between the output of the first signal path and the second input of the second PDN.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a controller coupled to the first PDN and the second PDN, wherein the controller is configured to: In the first transmit mode, the first PDN couples its first input terminal to its second output terminal, and the second PDN couples its first input terminal to its second output terminal. In the second transmit mode, the first PDN couples the second input terminal of the first PDN to the second output terminal of the first PDN; and In the third transmit mode, the second PDN couples the second input terminal of the second PDN to the second output terminal of the second PDN.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein in the first transmit mode, the controller is configured to cause the first PDN to couple the first input of the first PDN to the first output of the first PDN, and to cause the second PDN to couple the first input of the second PDN to the first output of the second PDN.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: A first frequency synthesizer, the first frequency synthesizer being coupled to the first mixer; A second frequency synthesizer, which is coupled to the second mixer; A first switch is coupled between the first frequency synthesizer and the fourth mixer; as well as A second switch is coupled between the second frequency synthesizer and the third mixer.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first PDN comprises: A first amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the first PDN and the first output terminal of the first PDN. A second amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the first PDN and the second output terminal of the first PDN. as well as A third amplifier is coupled between the second input terminal of the first PDN and the second output terminal of the first PDN.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second PDN comprises: A fourth amplifier is coupled between the first input terminal of the second PDN and the first output terminal of the second PDN; A fifth amplifier, coupled between the first input terminal of the second PDN and the second output terminal of the second PDN; and A sixth amplifier is coupled between the second input terminal and the second output terminal of the second PDN.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a controller, wherein: In the first transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, enable the second amplifier, disable the third amplifier, enable the fourth amplifier, enable the fifth amplifier, and disable the sixth amplifier; In the second transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the first amplifier, disable the second amplifier, and enable the third amplifier; and In the third transmission mode, the controller is configured to enable the fourth amplifier, disable the fifth amplifier, and enable the sixth amplifier.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a first antenna array, the first antenna array including first antennas, wherein each of the first antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the first transmitter array and a corresponding output of the fourth transmitter array.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a second antenna array, the second antenna array including second antennas, wherein each of the second antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the third transmitter array and a corresponding output of the second transmitter array.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: A set of filters; as well as Another set of filters; Each of the first antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the first transmitter array via a corresponding filter in one of the sets of filters, and is coupled to a corresponding output of the fourth transmitter array via a corresponding filter in another set of filters.

21. A method for launching, comprising: Receives the first intermediate frequency (IF) signal and the second IF signal via a common input terminal; Upconvert the first IF signal into a first radio frequency (RF) signal; The first RF signal is transmitted via the first antenna array; Upconvert the second IF signal into a second RF signal; as well as The second RF signal is transmitted via the second antenna array; In the first transmission mode, the first RF signal is in a first frequency band and the second RF signal is in a second frequency band; In the second transmission mode, both the first RF signal and the second RF signal are within the first frequency band; and In the third transmission mode, both the first RF signal and the second RF signal are in the second frequency band.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising, in the first transmission mode, transmitting the first RF signal via the second antenna array and transmitting the second RF signal via the first antenna array.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first frequency band is in the frequency range of 24 GHz to 29 GHz, and the second frequency band is in the frequency range of 37 GHz to 48 GHz.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein: Transmitting the first RF signal via the first antenna array includes routing the first RF signal to the input of a first transmitter array coupled to the first antenna array; and Transmitting the second RF signal via the second antenna array includes: In the first transmission mode, the second RF signal is routed to the input of the second transmitter array coupled to the second antenna array; as well as In the second transmission mode, the second RF signal is routed to the input of a third transmitter array coupled to the second antenna array.

25. An apparatus comprising: A first signal path, the first signal path having an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the first signal path includes a first filter; A second signal path having an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the second signal path includes a second filter, and the input terminal of the first signal path and the input terminal of the second signal path are coupled to a common input terminal; A first transmitter array, the first transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A second transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A third transmitter array, the third transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A first mixer, the first mixer being coupled to the output of the first signal path; A second mixer, the second mixer being coupled to the output of the second signal path; A third mixer, the third mixer being coupled to the output of the second signal path; A component for coupling the first mixer to the input of the first transmitter array in a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode; A component for coupling the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the first transmit mode; as well as A component for coupling the third mixer to the input of the third transmitter array in the second transmit mode.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: A fourth transmitter array, the fourth transmitter array having an input terminal and multiple output terminals; A fourth mixer, which is coupled to the output of the first signal path; as well as A component for coupling the fourth mixer to the input of the fourth transmitter array in the third transmit mode; The component for coupling the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the first transmission mode couples the second mixer to the input of the second transmitter array in the third transmission mode.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a first antenna array, the first antenna array including first antennas, wherein each of the first antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the first transmitter array and a corresponding output of the fourth transmitter array.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a second antenna array, the second antenna array including second antennas, wherein each of the second antennas is coupled to a corresponding output of the third transmitter array and a corresponding output of the second transmitter array.

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